The infinite subdivisions of those points, which we advance to the honour of being the objects of our belief, confound our thoughts and mar our peace. Peaceable discourse may have much latitude, but matter of faith should have narrow bounds. If, in the other, men will abound in their own sense, always let unity of spirit he held in the bond of peace. Since God hath given us change of raiment and variety of all intellectual provisions, as Joseph said to his brethren, let me to mine, Let us not fall out by the way. Now, by the dear bonds of brotherhood, by our love to our common mother, the church, by our holy care and zeal of the prosperous success of the gospel of our Lord Jesus, let us all compose our hearts to peace; and rest ourselves in those common truths, which sober minds shall find abundantly sufficient, whether for our knowledge or salvation." *

* See this excellent Tractate, called Via Media, in vol, ix, of the Bishop's Works.

CHAPTER III.

The Bishop continues his narrative:—

"Immediately before the publishing of this tractate (which did not a little aggravate the envy and suspicion,) I was by his Majesty raised to the bishoprick of Exeter; having formerly, with much humble deprecation, refused the see of Gloucester earnestly proffered unto me. How, beyond all expectation, it pleased God to place me in that western charge; which, if the Duke of Buckingham's letters, he being then in France, had arrived but some hours sooner, I had been defeated of; and, by what strange means it pleased God to make up the competency of that provison, by the unthought-of addition of the rectory of St. Breok * within that diocese: if I should fully relate the circumstances, would force

The living of St. Breok, in Cornwall, Walker, was then worth about £300. a year. Clergy, part ii, p. 24.

according to Dr. Sufferings of the

the confession of an extraordinary hand of God in the disposing of those events.

"I entered upon that place, not without much prejudice and suspicion on some hands: for some, that sat at the stern of the Church, had me in great jealousy for too much favor of Puritanism. I soon had intelligence who were set over me for espials. My ways were curiously observed and scanned. However, I took the resolution to follow those courses which might most conduce to the peace and happiness of my new and weighty charge. Finding, therefore, some factious spirits very busy in that diocese, I used all fair and gentle means to win them to good order; and therein so happily prevailed, that, saving two of that numerous clergy who continuing in their refractoriness fled away from censure, they were all perfectly reclaimed: so as I had not one minister professedly opposite to the anciently received orders (for I was never guilty of urging any new impositions) of the church in that large diocese.

"Thus we went on comfortably together, till some persons of note in the clergy, being guilty of their own negligence and disorderly courses, began to envy our success; and, finding me ever ready to encourage those whom I found conscionably forward and painful in their places, and willingly giving way to orthodox and peaceable

I

1

lectures in several parts of my diocese, opened their mouths against me, both obliquely in the pulpit and directly at the court; complaining of my too much diligence to persons disaffected, and my too much liberty of frequent lecturings within my charge. The billows went so high, that I was three several times upon my knee to his Majesty, to answer these great criminations: and what contestation I had with some great lords concerning these particulars, it would be too long to report; only this; under how dark a cloud I was hereupon I was so sensible, that I plainly told the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, that, rather than I would be obnoxious to those slanderous tongues of his misinformers, I would cast up my rochet.* I knew I went right ways, and would not endure to live under undeserved suspicions.

"What messages of caution I had from some of my wary brethren, and what expostulatory letters I had from above, I need not relate. Sure I am, I had peace and comfort at home, in the happy sense of that general unanimity and loving correspondence of my clergy, till, in the last year of my presiding there, after the synodical oath was set on foot (which yet I did never tender to

* White garment; he means his episcopal dress.

any one minister of my diocese) by the incitation of some busy interlopers of the neighbour county, some of them began to enter into an unkind contestation with me about the election of clerks of the convocation; whom they secretly, without ever acquainting me with their desire or purpose, as driving to that end which we see now accomplished, would needs nominate and set up in competition to those whom I had, after the usual form, recommended to them. That they had a right to free voices in that choice, I denied not: only I had reason to take it unkindly that they would work underhand, without me, and against me; professing, that, if they had beforehand made their desires known to me, I should willingly have gone along with them in their election. It came to the poll. Those of my nomination carried it.

"The parliament begun. After some hard tugging there, returning home on a recess, I was met on the way and cheerfully welcomed with some hundreds.

"In no worse terms I left that my once dear diocese: when, returning to Westminster, I was soon called by his Majesty, who was then in the North, to a remove to Norwich.

"But how I took the Tower in my way, and how I have been dealt with since my repair hither, I could be lavish in the sad report; ever